The Images You Can't Take Of An Australian Icon

While the journey up to the top isn't for the faint-hearted, it's incredible, especially considering there are few bridges around the world you can climb to the top of.

We begin by walking a plank underneath the roadway and scaling a series of steep staircases. We duck and weave along the path at times as it narrows and then opens up to a spectacular view of the Opera House around a corner.

View from one of the staircases. Picture: Kate Schneider

 

This corner is the point of the climb where our guide Bernie, 13 years ago, decided he wanted to do many, many more climbs. It's easy to see why.

It's also the part where those with a fear of heights really struggle. There's a section of wire-mesh catwalk where the ground is visible a long way down, giving a dizzying feeling.

Some push on with help from their guides, others simply cannot.

 This is the section of the climb where those with a fear of height can struggle. Picture: Kate Schneider

 

Continuing the climb, the roar of the traffic grows loader as you get closer to the roadway, and the bridge vibrates.

For most, nerves quickly turned to excitement and exhilaration upon stepping onto the lower part of the bridge and spotting the curved arches soaring high above, taking on the appearance of a rollercoaster.

View of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the climb. Picture: Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

 

We scaled the highest arch past the pylons. The arches can rise or fall 18 centimetres with heating or cooling.

It's a riveting climb - six million rivets hold the bridge together, to be precise.

View of the roadway down below. Picture: Kate Schneider

 

Standing up there with the wind rushing past you, traffic zipping by underneath you and a 360 degree view of Sydney like no other, including the Opera House, you really feel like you're on top of the world.

The water below was teeming with boats, including two massive cruise ships. One of them sailed underneath the bridge while blaring the hit song Gangnam Style, providing a unique view of a cruise liner, including the pools and people partying on the top deck.

A cruise ship passes underneath the bridge. Picture: Kate Schneider

 

We took a moment to sit down near the top and soak in the atmosphere.

Now I know what they mean by the "climb of your life".

It's easy to see why more than 4000 couple have gotten engaged during the climb – it really makes you feel alive.

The bridge was officially opened in 1932 and the first climb took place in 1998 (10 years in the making). Sixteen men died building it.

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